INCLUSION OF A SPECIES-SPECIFIC PROBIOTIC OR CALCIUM DIFORMATE IN YOUNG CALVES DIETS: EFFECTS ON GUT MICROBIAL BALANCE, HEALTH STATUS AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE

ABSTRACT Calf morbidity and mortality represent major financial losses for veal and dairy producers, especially intestinal bacterial infections are the primary causes of calf mortality. Thus the preventive intervention is a recommended strategy and as a prior measures probiotics and acidifiers is an alternative to the use of antibiotics. Probiotics play a critical role in the completeness and immune response of the intestinal mucosa while the main mode of action of organic acids is through their bacteriostatic and bactericidal action. The purpose of the present trials was the evaluation of the effects both a species-specific probiotic administration in veal (1st trial) and dairy calves (2nd trial) than an acidifier supplementation in veal calves (3rd trial) on health status, gut microbial balance and growth performance. On veal calves the effects of probiotic and acidifier on slaughter performance and histological survey were further evaluated. The aim of first the study was to evaluate the effects of the administration of a species-specific probiotic supplement to veal calves on performance and microbial parameters in standard rearing conditions. Ninety six male Friesian veal calves (49.31 \ub1 1.38kg of body weight and 20\ub15 days of life) were divided at random in two homogeneous groups of 48 animals each from the arrival in the farm and fed either a basal diet (C) or a basal diet plus 1.8x109 CFU/head/day of a probiotic supplement containing Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus animalis and Lactobacillus paracasei spp. paracasei in a 35:30:35 ratio (T) for a total of 180 days. Starting from 10th day from arrival and monthly until the end of the trial, individual body weight (BW) was recorded and average daily gain (ADG) was computed. At the same time, on the half of animals per group, faecal samples were collected for faecal score evaluation (FS), Lactobacilli count, Escherichia coli count and Lactobacilli/E.coli ratio, while blood samples were collected for haematological, haematochemical and immunological parameters evaluation. During the whole experimental period daily health status and therapeutic treatments were recorded for General Health Score (GHS) determination. At slaughter 10 animals per group were analysed for macroscopically injuries detection, and gut samples were collected for histological analyses. On each subject carcass weight, dressing percentage, fattening condition, carcass grade (SEUROP classification) and meat pH were recorded. During the trial were considered six times (corresponding to the each month of fattening): from time 0, referred to the 10th day from arrival, to the last considered month (time 6). BW resulted significantly higher (P 640.05) in C calves than T at the 5th (C=226.76kg vs T=223.27kg) and 6th (C=267.14kg vs T=263.56kg) considered times while ADG was not different between groups. Faecal consistency was, significantly higher in T group at the 4th sampling (P 640.01) as faecal Lactobacilli content (C=8.37 Log10 vs T=8.49 Log10; P 640.05). This trend could explain the better GHS observed in supplemented calves during the trial. At different times, some haematological parameters such as basophils, aspartate amino transferase (AST), bilirubin, glucose, urea, bactericidal and complement were higher (P<0.05) in C group, while non-esterificated fatty acids (NEFA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) showed lower values than T (P<0.05). At slaughter no differences were observed for carcass weight, dressing percentage, carcass grade and meat pH. The cecum histological examination revealed a less evident de-epithelialisation and a greater integrity of the epithelium surface in T subjects than C, while in both the ileum than in cecum a numerical increase of the intestinal crypts\u2019 depth was detected. The administration of species-specific probiotic was able to improve the gut microbiological balance and health status with not no evident effects on growth performance. The second study evaluated the effects of the administration of a species-specific multistrain probiotic (Lactobacillus animalis-Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei-Bacillus coagulans; 30:35:35) on health and performance parameters of newborn Friesian female calves during the first month of life. Twenty-two calves were divided in two groups: control (C) fed with milk replacer and concentrate as a basal diet, and treatment (T), fed C diet plus 1g/head/d of probiotic from the second day after birth to the end of the first month of life. Faecal samples were collected weekly for the count of Lactobacilli and Escherichia coli; blood samples were collected and analyzed weekly. Individual FS was recorded daily, GHS was calculated at the end of the trial, and cell mediate immune response was evaluated by skin test at 7 and 28 days of life. Body weight, biometrical parameters and ADG were recorded weekly while Feed Intake (FI) and Feed Conversion Rate (FCR) were recorded for the overall period. Higher faecal Lactobacilli/E. coli ratio on day 28 of life (3.73 Log UFC/g vs. 2.02 Log UFC/g; P<0.05) and improved faecal consistency at 6, 25 and 27d of life were found in T group. Final body weight (48.92 Kg vs 46.92 Kg; P<0.05) and hearth girth (81.16 cm vs 78.49 cm; P<0.05) were significantly higher in T group. Concentrate FI (%DM) was significantly higher in T group overall the trial period, while ADG, FCR and milk replacer FI (%DM) were not influenced by probiotic administration. GHS showed increased mean value, but non significantly, in T group (T=20.45 vs C=18.91). Increased haemoglobin (10.04g/dl vs 8.60g/dl) and hematocrit (26.68% vs 22.17%) plasma content at 8d in T group with lower eosinophils percentage (0.05% vs 0.22%) were found at 8d in T group, while basophiles content was increased at 28d in species-specific probiotc-fed animals than C (0.21% vs 0.16%, respectively; P<0.05). The administration of a species-specific probiotic compound during the first month of life of newborn calves improved gut microflora, increased performance and some biometric parameters. The last trial involving 36 male Friesian calves was conducted to determine the effect of calcium diformate administration and its inclusion level on growth performance, intestinal balance, metabolism, health status, and calcium and formate organ content. The calves (44.55kg\ub15.51kg BW, 25\ub110 days old), were divided in three homogeneous groups of twelve subjects each: C fed with a basal diet, T1 fed with a basal diet plus 1%/milk replacer of calcium diformate, and T3 fed a basal diet plus 3%/milk replacer of calcium diformate for a total of 84 days of supplementation. During the experimental period daily FI, AD and FCR were determined. At 0, 42 and 84 days of trial individual blood samples were collected in order to detect haematological and biochemical parameters, Ca and FO content. At the same time faecal samples were collected for Lactobacilli, total coliforms and E.coli count along with faecal pH. Weekly BW and FS were recorded, while the health status was constantly monitored and the cause of deaths analyzed by necropsy. At the 91st day of trial the calves were slaughtered: any presence of ulcers were detected, individual carcass weight and dressing percentage were determined, and kidney and liver weight recorded. On seven animals per group liver, kidney, muscle and fat samples were collected and total Ca and formate were evaluated. The administration of calcium diformate decreased dry matter intake from either milk powder, concentrate and both milk powder and concentrate together with increasing level of calcium diformate in the diet (C=1419,05g/h/d; T1=1217,78g/h/d; T3=1190,73g/h/d; P 640.01). As a result, final body weight in treated animals was lower than control calves (C=121,00kg; T1=112,17kg; T3=108,74kg; P 640.01). Mean ADG in 3%/milk replacer CaFO calves was decreased if compared to C subjects (C=0.87kg/h/d vs T3=0.73kg/h/d; P<0.01), while a similar feed conversion rate was detected between the experimental groups. Faecal score was decreased in T3 animals (P 640.05) than control while no differences were found for faecal pH, E.coli or Lactobacilli. Higher total coliforms count was evidenced in T1 animals than C (7.45 Log10 vs T1=2.75Log10 respectively; P 640.05). At slaughter no difference was observed for dressing percentage, while carcass weight resulted higher in C compared to T3 (C=67.49kg vs T3=58.87; P 640.05). Organ weight and organ formate and calcium content were similar between the experimental groups. Red blood cells count (RBC), haemoglobin (HB) and hematocrit (HT) resulted higher (P 640.05) in C and T3 than T1, while control calves showed higher platelets (P 640.05) value than T1, and greater (P 640.05) triglycerides than T3. Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) value resulted higher (P 640.05) in T3 subjects than the other groups. Increased formate blood content in 3% of calcium difromate/milk replacer animals did not show any differences for organ formate content thus giving no accumulation. Immune response was not affected by the treatment and necropsies on dead animals suggest no interaction among treatment and death itself. The histological examination revealed altered structural aspects of the intestinal mucosa in all the experimental corresponding with no detectable differences between control T1 and T3 groups. Epithelial detachment in the intestinal villi associated with mucous secretion excess and some diffuse mixed cellular infiltration sub mucosa and lamina propria were highlighted. The sub mucosal Brunner glands were in normal physiological conditions in C, but showed empty and enlarged lumen in treated animals. While not showing toxic effects in veal calves, the administration of calcium diformate is not useful in promoting the growth performance and gut balance. In conclusion, the species-specific probiotic administration in veal and dairy calves can improve the gut microbial balance and consequently the general health status, although no effect on growth performance, while the calcium diformate supplementation, even if not showing toxic effects in veal calves, isn\u2019t helpful to increase the intestinal microbial balance and the growth performance

Effects of a species-specific probiotic formulation on multiresistant Escherichia coli isolates from the gut of veal calves

In this study, 254 Escherichia coli isolates from faecal samples of veal calves were evaluated for antimicrobial susceptibility using the disk diffusion method. During the experimental period, six mass antibiotic treatments were administered to the animals (about one treatment per month). The active principles used were oxytetracycline, colistin, tylosin, doxycycline, chlortetracycline, and sulphonamides. An extremely high resistance prevalence (> 70%) towards penicillin, sulphonamide, tetracycline, ampicillin, and spyramicin was detected. Sixty E. coli isolates could be defined as multiresistant, showing resistance to at least 6 antimicrobial classes. Subsequently, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of a species-specific probiotic against multiresistant E. coli, showing its beneficial action with large inhibition halos for 76% of the isolates. This suggests the potentiality of the probiotic, putting in evidence a clear advantage of its use in veal calves nutrition, in particular during the first phases, when the animals are more susceptible to severe enteric infections by E. coli

O papel das associações e cooperativas na estruturação da cadeia produtiva da castanha-do-brasil (bertholletia excelsa) no estado do Mato Grosso.

Algumas regiões ao Norte do estado do Mato Grosso abrigam florestas e recursos florestais não madeireiros com importância para a economia local, como é o caso da castanha-do-brasil (Bertholletia excelsa), um produto de uso tradicional por diversas populações amazônicas. Ao gerar renda para as comunidades locais e contribuir para a conservação da floresta amazônica, a castanha é considerada um dos produtos da sociobiodiversidade prioritários para a estruturação de sua cadeia produtiva. Muitos incentivos vêm sendo feitos para se organizar e estruturar essa cadeia produtiva no estado e a atuação das associações e cooperativas locais tem sido primordial nesse processo. Com o intuito de compreender melhor o papel dessas organizações na cadeia da castanha-do-brasil no Mato Grosso, este artigo busca analisar a atuação desses empreendimentos na consolidação da cadeia produtiva da castanha no estado, a partir de suas contribuições nos processos de organização e representação social, valorização, certificação e acesso aos mercados pelos produtores extrativistas. A coleta de dados consistiu em um levantamento prévio de dados secundários. A partir da metodologia ?bola de neve?, foram identificadas as organizações atuantes na cadeia em diferentes regiões do estado e, posteriormente, foram realizadas entrevistas com os representantes dessas organizações com base em questionários semiestruturados. A análise das informações foi realizada com auxílio do programa Sphinx Léxica e Survey, além do Excel. Foram entrevistados representantes de 17 organizações - 13 associações e quatro cooperativas - atuantes em diferentes regiões do estado. A atividade de coleta da castanha foi identificada em Programas de Assentamento, Propriedades Particulares de terceiros, Unidades de Conservação e Terras Indígenas. Nos locais em que existem projetos apoiados por organizações, a cadeia da castanha se apresenta mais estruturada e diversificada, sendo o caso das microrregiões de Arinos e Aripuanã

Malaria in illegal Chinese immigrants, Italy.

A cluster of 22 imported malaria cases, 21 caused by Plasmodium falciparum, was observed among illegal Chinese immigrants in northern Italy in the summer of 2000. The rate of severe disease was high because the patients were not immune and they sought health-care services late in their illness because of their clandestine status. Recognition of the outbreak was delayed because no regional alert system among infectious diseases hospitals was in place

Panorama da cadeia de valor nos estados da Amazônia Legal.

Este capítulo apresenta um panorama geral da estrutura e dos atores da cadeia produtiva da castanha-da-amazônia nos estados produtores, com base em dados dos anos de 2015 a 2020.V. 1: Aspectos sociais, econômicos e organizacionais. ODS 2, ODS 3, ODS 8, ODS 11, ODS 12, ODS 13, ODS 17

O protagonismo de organizações indígenas na estruturação da cadeia produtiva da castanha-da-amazônia no estado de Roraima, Amazônia brasileira.

Roraima é o estado brasileiro com menor produção de castanha-da-amazônia entre aqueles onde há ocorrência da espécie. Com uma área notavelmente menor que os demais estados da região e diante da ocorrência de castanhais restritos à porção centro-sul do seu território, a produção dessa castanha em Roraima aparece pequena nas estatísticas oficiais. No entanto os dados oficiais, além de ignorarem a quantidade de castanha escoada sem controle para outras regiões, desconsideram a importância econômica, social e histórico-cultural que esse produto pode ter para as centenas de famílias que vivem de sua produção no estado. De acordo com um mapeamento da cadeia produtiva da castanha realizado em Roraima, foi possível construir um retrato da situação de sua produção e comercialização nos anos de 2013 e 2014, quando se formou uma articulação em prol da estruturação dessa cadeia no estado, especialmente no tocante à produção oriunda dos povos indígenas Wai Wai e Yanomami. Embora os indígenas Wai Wai comercializassem a castanha há mais tempo, com mais organizações de apoio e uma cadeia mais estruturada, tanto eles como os Yanomami tinham a maior parte desse apoio direcionado à produção de castanha. Isso explica o fato de a comercialização ter se mostrado como sendo o elo mais frágil e com maior demanda de investimentos. Sendo assim, diante do potencial produtivo das Terras Indígenas e da maior valorização da atividade e do próprio produto, a falta de planejamento para a coleta e a venda coletiva, assim como a necessidade de investimentos em infraestrutura de escoamento e beneficiamento, apresentam-se como importantes gargalos à organização dos povos indígenas em torno da cadeia produtiva da castanha-da-amazônia em Roraima. Roraima is the Brazilian state with the lowest Amazon nut production. With an area smaller than other states in the Amazon region and due to the occurrence of the Brazil nut stands restricted to the south-central portion of its territory, the production of this nut in Roraima appears small in official statistics. However, official data ignore the nuts uncontrolled sold to other regions and disregards the economic, social, and historical-cultural importance that this product may have for the hundreds of families living on Brazil nut production in the state. According to a mapping of the Brazil nut production chain in Roraima, it was possible to construct a picture about the situation of its production and marketing in 2013 and 2014, when an articulation was formed in favor of the structuring of this chain in the state, especially regarding the indigenous peoples Wai Wai and Yanomami production. Although the Wai Wai people traded the nut for a longer time, with more support organizations and a more structured chain, both they and the Yanomami had most of this support directed to the nut production. This explains the fact that commercialization has proved to be the weakest link with the highest investment demand. Thus, given the productive potential of the Indigenous Lands and the greater appreciation of the activity and the product itself, the lack of planning for collection and collective sale, as well as the need for investments in outflow and processing infrastructure, are important bottlenecks to the organization of indigenous peoples around Brazil nut production chain in the state of Roraima

Panorama geral da produção extrativista de castanha-da-amazônia no Estado de Rondônia.

Este documento tem como objetivo apresentar uma análise da cadeia e da produção extrativista da castanha-da-amazônia no Estado de Rondônia, com base nos estudos do MapCast feitos nos anos de 2014 e 2015, seguindo a metodologia conhecida como bola de neve.bitstream/item/201939/1/DOC1661.pd

Specie-specific probiotic supplement in veal calves diet : effects on zootechnical and microbial parameters in standard rearing conditions

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the administration of a specie-specific probiotic supplement to veal calves on performance and microbial parameters in standard rearing conditions (SRC). Ninety-six male Friesian veal calves (49.31 \ub1 1.38kg) were divided in two homogeneous groups of 48 animals each from the arrival in the farm and fed either a basal diet (C) or a basal diet plus 1.8x1010 CFU/head/day of a probiotic supplement containingB. coagulans, L. animalis and L. paracasei spp. paracasei in a 35:30:35 ratio (T) for a total of 180 days. Performance and microbial parameters were analyzed by a MIXED procedure of SAS (2006), while dressing percentage was evaluated by a GLM (SAS, 2006). Average daily gain (1.19 vs 1.21 kg/d respectively for T and C) and dressing percentage (55.69 vs 55.75%) were not different among groups. pH at 45 min and 48 hours post mortem were similar for C and T; no significant differences were detected between T and C groups for faecal microbiological parameters in whole experimental period, but Lactobacilli content increased on month 4 in T calves (8.87 Log10/g vs 8.35 Log10/g, P 640.10) when antibiotic treatments were not performed; also faecal score was found to be better in the same period in T than C. The General Health Score was higher in T than C after the second month and it showed, on month 6, a significant difference. In SRC the administration of a species-specific probiotic supplement did not influence growth performance, but positive changes of treated animals health must be further investigated